More in Bioenergy

The Renewable Fuels Standard could cut biodiesel demand by 40%. Grassroots pressure on the EPA and Congress is needed through the spring. Tax incentive helps more than farmers, as rural communities benefit, too....More

Renewable Fuels Standard worries don’t darken the future of alternative grasses for energy and chemical use. Energy-crop seed producers are working on new traits for productivity and enhanced output for a range of uses. U.S. growth is slower than other countries, but seed producers remain optimistic about the future....More

“Since refiners can carry over excess 2013 production into 2014 for RFS compliance, the market could be closer to one billion gallons, or almost half of our 2013 [biodiesel] production. That would be devastating for the industry . .. It’s difficult to predict the impact that would have on soybean markets, but clearly biodiesel provides a solid market for excess soybean oil."...More

Ron Schwartau, Board Member at Minnesota Rural Electric Association, gave an interesting counterpoint to the "Time to Consider Solar (Mar. issue)," in which we reported on the recent interest in solar panels due to a drop in system pricing. Schwartau writes:
"Time to Consider Solar" was interesting but not entirely accurate in portrayal of solar and other renewable energy....More

Economic solutions have been a solid tool for achieving environmental goals. Perhaps the most famous is the idea of power plants trading pollution credits, but there’s one for water that could benefit your farm.
USDA and EPA recently announced they are working together to support the development of water quality trading markets. These markets are expected to provide farmers and ranchers with new income opportunities, in addition to enhancing water quality and conservation....More

The EPA proposal would "jeopardize the tremendous success our nation’s farmers have seen as a result of the certainty of the RFS with net farm income increasing by 51 percent while federal farm payments have decreased 57 percent.”...More

The ABFA conservatively forecasts the advanced biofuels industry to generate at least 3.2 billion RINs in 2013, exceeding this year’s target by at least 500 million gallons and generating carryover RINs....More

“Using the E10 blendwall as an excuse to reduce ethanol use rewards oil companies for doing nothing to comply with the RFS or inevitability of higher ethanol blends, and sets a dangerous precedent by taking the teeth out of the most consequential policy Congress has ever enacted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of transportation fuel.”...More

When times are good, the ethanol industry has historically expanded production which increases both corn and ethanol supplies. This can lead to market fluctuations that can actually reduce margins, says Bruce Babcock, Iowa State University ag economist....More

Ethanol plants will come to fruition by 2014. Companies are working out the details of harvesting cellulose without harming the soil. The fight over the Renewable Fuel Standard has made investors wary of new tech....More